Law Minister Raghunath Mohanty resigns in Dowry Row

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law minister Raghunath Mohanty resigned from his post today after his daughter-in-law filed a dowry case against him, and his family members. He submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on moral grounds.

However, he refuted the charges levelled against him by his daughter-in-law Barsha Sony Mohanty. He said that the law will take its course and people will know the truth after the investigation.

Barsha had dared to bring the matter into the notice of the CM at Naveen Nivas on Friday morning.

In her complaint, Barsha alleged that she was abused by her in-laws for dowry after her marriage in June 2012. Her in-laws allegedly demanded Rs 25 lakh and a Scorpio SUV from her family as dowry.

A case has been registered against Mohanty, his wife Preetilata Mohanty, son Rajasree and other family members under section 498 (A), 506, 448 and 34 of IPC in Balasore Town police station.

Barsha alleged that her parents had given Rs 10 lakh and other household articles to her in-laws during marriage on June 24, 2012. She was shocked over the attitude of her mother-in-law, who demanded more dowry. Even her husband and minister supported her mother-in-law to bring Rs 25 lakh and a SUV from her parents.

Another shocking allegation also could put the minister in trouble that his family had allegedly tried to abduct and kill her on March 13 this year. However, she was saved after her family members reached the place in time.

Mohanty, the five-time MLA from Basta was also holding Housing & Urban Development portfolio.